Sunday, April 22, 2007

Contemporary Design III- 21st century design and beyond

Just like any other transition between design periods there is always an emergence of the two styles. Right now the emerge consist of elements like straight lines, flat planes and right angles from the modern period, and complex curvilinear lines and free forms from the contemporary period. New technologies, like computerized drafting and 3-D modeling software, is making it possible for designers to have an unlimited freedom unlike before. In the past, designers (architecture and interior) have been basically limited to what they can draw onto paper letting drafting tools with right angles and straight lines being an extensive influence to their designs. I am not saying that curved elements have not been apart of architecture in the past, but if it was used the space was labeled as being special.A good example of the emergence is the Frank Gehry Walt Disney Concert Hall, which has a combination of complex curvilinear and rectilinear lines on the exterior and the interior is symmetrical with some unusual curving forms.
Some designers feel that the use of the computer will damage the production of creativity from designers, where others believe that it will give the freedom that sculptors and other hands-on crafts have- the freedom of limitations. This freedom for designers will allow the exploration of clean free flowing forms. A good example of this free flowing form is the Reebok Flagship Store located in Shanghai, China. It is clean, asymmetrically curvaceous and spaces blend seamlessly into one another, which this also allows functions of the space to overlap.

So, my question to you all is that do you believe that the use of computer related technology interrupts the production of creativity of designers and why, and also, do you feel that we will continue down this road of free flowing spaces and move away from the usual rectilinear feeling that most interiors possess?

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This blog is intended for the interior design students in the college of design at the University of Kentucky. It was created with the intent to present students with information, providing them with a channel for contemplation and discussion.